According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Da Nang is the only city in Viet Nam to be invited to take part in the “Promoting the Establishment of an Eco-Cities Network in Southeast Asia” project.  Other participating cities are Pingtan in China, Iskandar in Malaysia, Cebu in the Philippines, and Map Ta Phut in Thailand.  They are typical examples of environmentally-friendly cities in Southeast Asia aiming towards sustainable development.

The project is funded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).  Its purpose is to provide the opportunity for eco-cities worldwide to mutually share their experiences and best practices.

The project will focus on implementing cross-examination among the project members about the limits on their carbon-dioxide emissions, and their practical operations.

In mid-October, some representatives of the city’s authorities took part in a series of activities in Japan to mark the start of this project.  They visited eco-urban models in Yokohama and Kitakyushu cities, and attended an international conference on the future of cities.